AFTER a lackluster performance during an event in Switzerland, top Filipino pole vaulter and Asian pole vault record holder Ernest John “EJ” Obiena went back to the podium to grab the gold medal at the ISTAF indoor athletics tournament in Berlin, Germany.
His performance improved on his silver-medal finish during the same event last year.
Obiena’s gold-medal act also enabled him to atone for his miserable last-place finish during the Zurich leg of the Wanda Diamond League held last week.
He soared to a height of 5.92 meters on his third attempt to beat Norway’s Sondre Guttormsen who cleared 5.82 meters to settle for the silver medal.
KC Lightfoot of the US also cleared 5.82 meters. However, he committed one more foul as against the Norwegian for the duration of the competition.
Obiena also tried to reset his Asian record of 6.0 meters when he attempted to clear 6.01 meters but failed in his effort.
His victory in Berlin came on the heels of his silver medal performance during the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, where he matched his 6.0-meter record.